Uganda and Ghana Deepen Cooperation on Petroleum Regulation

Uganda and Ghana are building a closer relationship around petroleum regulation as Uganda prepares to enter oil production.

The Board of Directors of Uganda’s Petroleum Authority held a peer-learning engagement with Ghana’s Petroleum Commission in Accra. Discussions covered petroleum regulation, upstream operations and the development of local content.

Speaking for the Ugandan delegation, board member Innocent Kihika said Uganda wanted more than a single exchange. “We have come to Ghana to learn, to share and to build a relationship that goes beyond this meeting,” he said. Uganda also hopes to draw lessons from countries that have already passed through oil exploration, development and production as it strengthens its regulatory systems.

Ghana’s commission presented its experience with legal and regulatory frameworks, institutional arrangements, upstream operations, local content, and health, safety and environmental management. The two sides also compared practical challenges in managing petroleum resources.

Ghana is increasingly examining onshore oil and gas opportunities, especially in the Voltaian Basin. Its Petroleum Commission board chairman, Ernest Thompson, said Ghana was particularly interested in Uganda’s approach to onshore resource management, community engagement and environmental safeguards. The institutions agreed to deepen cooperation and continue sharing knowledge on petroleum governance and operations.

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We have come to Ghana to learn, to share and to build a relationship that goes beyond this meeting.